2026-03-17 ロイヤルメルボルン工科大学（RMIT）
The smart wound patch’s dual function could support more timely and effective intervention from clinicians.
＜関連情報＞
- https://www.rmit.edu.au/news/all-news/2026/mar/smart-wound
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009250925020469
カーボンナノドット酵素を組み込んだ応答性ハイドロゲルを用いたスマート創傷被覆材 Carbon-dot nanozyme-empowered responsive hydrogels for smart wound dressing
Nan Nan, Qi Li, Cui Liu, Xiaoming Wen, Baohua Jia, Haiyan Li , Lei Bao
Chemical Engineering Science Available online: 22 December 2025
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2025.123225
Highlights
- A smart hydrogel wound dressing was fabricated via a simple, scalable method.
- Embedded carbon dots act as both pH-sensitive fluorescent sensors and nanozymes.
- The hydrogel offers dual-mode therapeutic release.
- The dressing demonstrates excellent cytocompatibility and promotes fibroblast growth.
- The system protects cells from damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Abstract
Smart wound dressings that enable real-time monitoring and responsive therapeutic delivery are essential for advancing personalized wound care. In this work, we present a strategy to develop a multifunctional hydrogel patch by embedding carbon dots (C-dots) into an ionically crosslinked sodium alginate (SA) matrix. The C-dots serve dual roles by providing visible, pH-responsive fluorescence for wound monitoring and functioning as superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like nanozymes to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS). The patch’s optical transparency, pH sensitivity, swelling capacity, and mechanical strength can be tuned by varying the C-dot content. Structural analyses using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering reveal hydrogen bonding between C-dots and alginate chains, which underpins the dual stimuli-responsive behaviors of the developed hydrogel patch. The patch autonomously releases C-dot nanozymes in response to microenvironmental cues and also allows on-demand release upon gentle mechanical pressure, addressing diverse wound care needs. In vitro studies confirm excellent cytocompatibility, enhanced fibroblast proliferation, and protection against ROS-induced damage. This smart, dual-responsive hydrogel patch presents a promising platform for next-generation wound dressings, suitable for chronic wound management and point-of-care wound management.
